Glasgow residents ask Celtic to urge fans against 'disruption'

Glasgow Times

25-04-2025

The team is expected to win the Scottish Premiership in the coming weeks with an unofficial title party for fans likely to take place in the Trongate area on Saturday, May 17.
Similar events have taken place since 2022 with 25,000 Celtic supporters gathering in Merchant City last May bringing the area to a standstill.
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(Image: Wattie Cheung) Now, Calton and Merchant City and Trongate community councils have written to Hoops CEO Michael Nicholson saying while they understand fans want to celebrate the occasion, at the end of the last two football seasons they have "created havoc for people, businesses and visitors in and around Glasgow Cross".
They said: "This part of the city centre was turned into a 'No Go' area with widespread damage to public and private property and people left terrified.
"The trail of urine, faeces, vomit, graffiti and refuse was widespread.
"Emergency vehicles and other traffic were unable to get through the throng."
Residents say while the club has brought "great esteem" to Scottish football and the city of Glasgow, scenes in 2023 and 2024 had been "disgraceful and totally unacceptable".
Their letter to Mr Nicholson continued: "We urge you to issue a public statement firmly instructing Celtic fans not to indulge in similar disruption and anti-social behaviour as this football season draws to a close.
"The reputation of Celtic Football Club - and of the city of Glasgow - is again at stake."
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(Image: Newsquest) The Glasgow Times previously reported that at a high stakes a meeting in Hampden Park on Friday, March 28, MSP Kaukab Stewart brought together community councils for Merchant City, Trongate and Calton and representatives for Celtic FC, Rangers FC, the SPFL, Police Scotland and Glasgow City Council in a bid to avoid the 'disruption' seen in previous years.
Residents were given the opportunity to tell clubs about their experience of anti-social behaviour from unofficial parties in Trongate and George Square, which have seen thousands of pounds worth of damage caused.
However, despite agreements "more should be done" to encourage fans not to gather in the city centre, no plans were put forward ahead of this year's expected gathering.
A spokesperson for the community councils said of the meeting: "We applaud the MSP for bringing all sides together at such a senior level.
"Many statements of good intent were uttered but so were reasons why nothing could be done."
READ NEXT: Clean-up cost revealed after Celtic fans' title celebration in Merchant City
(Image: Wattie Cheung) Last year, four police officers were injured during the gathering and 19 arrests were made in connection with disorder-related offences and the use of pyrotechnics.
The Glasgow Times exclusively revealed last month that the entire cost of the clean-up for last years gathering is expected to cost the council £100,402.81.
The council said they are forking out £73,032 to repair Mercat Cross while specialist crews will also be brought in to tidy up the structure and remove graffiti for £1656.96.
Staff time on clear-up, as well as waste disposal, traffic light repairs, emergency road closures and other jobs, set the council back just over £25,000.
A spokesperson also revealed that over seven tonnes of waste was collected from the area, the equivalent of 25 wheelie bins.
Celtic FC have been contacted for comment.